Dan Auerbach Recruits Mark Knopfler, Duane Eddy for New Solo LP

At some point next spring, Dan Auerbach, the frontman for the Black Keys, will release his second solo album. Neither the date nor the title are known at this time.

Rolling Stone says that Auerbach recorded it live in his Nashville studio, Easy Eye Sound, with a veteran band that consists of former Johnny Cash bassist Dave Roe and two members from Memphis' American Sound Studios house band — pianist Bobby Wood and drummer Gene Chrisman — that played on dozens of hits, including Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacher Man” and Elvis Presley’s “Suspicious Minds.” He also got some help from guitar legend Duane Eddy on “Waiting on a Song” and former Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler on “Shine on Me.” The songs, which include a tribute to Rick Rubin called “Malibu Man,” were culled from about 60 that he wrote over the summer, bringing in folk legend John Prine and David Ferguson as collaborators.

"I learned so much from these guys," Auerbach said, and he noted that the process of cutting the tracks live excited the musicians, who could remember a time when that was the only way to go. "These guys tell me they're genuinely thrilled to be here because we're making records like they used to.”

Auerbach, whose previous solo record was 2009’s Keep It Hid, said that the Black Keys are still spending some time apart while they “recharge.” This new record is the second project with which he’s been involved since they decided to take a break. Last year, he formed the Arcs and released Yours, Dreamily. Auerbach plans to tour behind the new album.